“Management” crosses all industries. This role will always be needed, particularly as the broader business landscape shifts to a more digital-driven experience — and, along with it, greater challenges.
The healthcare manager’s role has taken center stage in the ever-evolving healthcare landscape. As healthcare organizations grapple with myriad challenges, ranging from a rapidly changing regulatory environment to advances in medical technologies, the need for adept professionals to navigate these waters has become paramount.
Enter the healthcare manager: a professional uniquely trained to steer the ship of medical institutions gracefully and efficiently. Through its online Master of Health Administration (MHA) program, the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) prepares students to pursue in-demand, rewarding positions in healthcare management.
Salary and Job Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average annual salary for medical and health services managers is $101,340 (as of 2021). What’s even more impressive is the projected demand. With an expected growth of 28% through 2031, it’s evident that the role of the healthcare manager is not just in demand now — but will continue to be for the foreseeable future.
Healthcare Management: Roles and Responsibilities
What exactly do healthcare managers do? Their typical duties encompass a broad spectrum, all critical to the operation of healthcare institutions. This includes ensuring facilities run efficiently, setting departmental goals, recruiting and training staff and working closely with medical staff to determine patient care and services. They’re also responsible for financial management, ensuring the institution remains profitable while delivering top-notch patient care.
Notably, healthcare management is often juxtaposed with healthcare administration. Though they are closely intertwined, they serve distinct functions. While healthcare managers primarily focus on overall facility operations, healthcare administrators tend to be more involved in day-to-day tasks, such as overseeing staff and departments. However, both roles are pivotal in ensuring the medical facility operates seamlessly.
Driving Factors Behind the High Demand
Several key factors account for the escalating demand for healthcare managers. The following represent the most significant:
- Aging population. An older population necessitates increased healthcare services. With the Baby Boomer generation reaching their golden years, the strain on the healthcare system is severe. This translates to an urgent need for more healthcare facilities requiring adept managers.
- Advances in healthcare. With continuous medical advancements, healthcare establishments are proliferating. Whether it’s specialized clinics or holistic healthcare centers, each facility requires competent management to thrive.
- Regulatory evolution. The ever-changing landscape of healthcare regulations means that institutions must constantly adapt. Healthcare managers ensure facilities remain compliant, even as laws and policies evolve.
- Higher expectations. As noted by the American Institute for Healthcare Management (AMIHM), patients today expect a higher standard of care. Thus, medical facilities work to deliver unparalleled patient experiences, a mission that mandates exceptional managerial oversight.
UNCW’s Master of Healthcare Administration: Crafting Future Leaders
Recognizing the burgeoning demand for skilled healthcare managers, institutions like UNCW have launched programs tailored to meet this need. UNCW’s online MHA program stands out, equipped with resources, best practices and theoretical insights that prepare graduates for the dynamic realm of healthcare administration.
The curriculum imparts a comprehensive understanding of efficient healthcare management techniques. This encompasses many crucial facets, such as human capital resources, healthcare operations, population health management and enriching patient experiences.
Courses such as Healthcare Systems offer a foundational grasp of the healthcare sector’s intricacies. Meanwhile, the Managing Human Capital in Healthcare course delves into the nuances of staff management, ensuring that graduates can lead teams and maximize human resources effectively.
Logistically, the online MHA program provides many benefits, such as multiple start dates per year (six) and an accelerated pace option, allowing students to complete the program in as few as 12 months.
Take the Next Step in Your Healthcare Manager Career
In the mosaic of medical professions, the role of the healthcare manager is undeniably prominent. As the demand for their expertise surges, it’s encouraging to witness educational institutions like UNCW step up to prepare the next generation of leaders. For those eyeing a career in this domain, the prospects are promising and replete with opportunities to make a tangible difference in healthcare.
Learn more about UNCW’s online Master of Healthcare Administration program.
